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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider US, Japan, SoKor leaders oppose militarization, aggression in South China Sea

US, Japan, SoKor leaders oppose militarization, aggression in South China Sea

Published Aug 19, 2023 08:09 am

The leaders of US, Japan and South Korea have taken a united stand to oppose China's militarization in the South China Sea as well as its coercive actions that undermine stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

President Joe Biden, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and President Yoon Suk Yeol expressed their shared concern on developments in the South China Sea that are "inconsistent with the rules-based international order" and that "undermine regional peace and prosperity."

They said they "strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the waters of the Indo-Pacific" as they recalled their condemnation of China's "dangerous and aggressive behavior."

They also said they "steadfastly oppose the militarization of reclaimed features; the dangerous use of coast guard and maritime militia vessels; and coercive activities."

The three leaders did not cite the Philippines' case, which recently became the victim of China's aggression; but their respective embassies and foreign ministries immediately issued their remarks after China recently attacked Philippine personnel with a water cannon in the Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, a part of the South China Sea.

"We reiterate our firm commitment to international law, including the freedom of navigation and overflight, as reflected in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)," Biden, Kishida and Yoon said in their joint statement at Camp David in Maryland on August 18.

"The July 2016 award in the South China Sea arbitration sets out the legal basis for the peaceful resolution of maritime conflicts between the parties to that proceeding," they added.

The 2016 Arbitral Award issued by The Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) affirmed the Philippines' claim over the West Philippine Sea.

The three leaders committed to expand the cooperation among Washington, Tokyo and Seoul as they raised their to a new horizon, "across domains and across the Indo-Pacific and beyond."

"We will strengthen our economies, provide resilience and prosperity, support the free and open international order based on the rule of law, and bolster regional and global peace and security, especially as current and incoming members of the United Nations Security Council," they added.

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